Tecumseh Public SchoolsTecumseh Public Schools serves nearly 2,900 learners in preschool through grade 12 in Lenawee County, Michigan. The district provides all learners with the opportunity to explore every facet of their education with a focus on Customized Learning and Project-Based Learning. In addition to a variety of academic paths, learners may also participate in nationally-recognized musical, fine and performing arts programs.

THS science facilitators get specialized professional development on new Michigan Science Standards.

THS science facilitators get specialized professional development on new Michigan Science Standards.

Jim Clark is a Team Developer with the Knowles Teacher Initiative and the Science Coordinator for the San Lorenzo Unified School District. In addition to teaching science for nearly 30 years in California, he has also served as a writer and administrator of professional development for the implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) with the State of California. He has multiple publications and honors, including San Lorenzo District Teacher of the Year, Alameda County Teacher of the Year, and a nomination for California Teacher of the Year. He has been booked as the Michigan Science Teachers Association 2017 Conference Keynote Speaker this spring.

Our Tecumseh High School science facilitators will meet with Jim Clark, the day before the MSTA conference, at the high school. He will be working with our science facilitators as our district transitions to the new Michigan Science Standards, which are based exactly on the NGSS.

“I think an important note to add about this is that Jim is not only helping us with work specific to our district and its changes, but also that he's helping us with what is a national transformation in how science is taught,” said Ms Vanhala, THS science facilitator, “Science used to be about reading textbooks, memorizing facts and vocab to regurgitate, but now it's about doing experiments, analyzing data, and communicating conclusions. NGSS and the new Michigan Science Standards empower learners to learn more in depth and ‘figure out’ and do science rather than ‘learning about’ science.”